To plan or not to plan, that is the question?

[Bellydreams]

I'm a little bit confused at what I should do?

Currently I am WTT, going off my Pills mid Nov 2012. I happened to mention to my specialist (nothing pregnancy related) about ending my pill, and she advised me I need to take prenatal pills 3 months before I end my pill. I wasn't planning on doing that, only thought of starting once I fell pregnant or at least after I have a normal period after the pill.

I was chatting to hubby about having to start taking these pills in August (just for info he doesn't usually believe in vitamin pills for normal people, says it's expensive pee). He didn't warm to the idea since we aren't really planning TTC, just NTNP and to quote "plenty of people around the world and through time have had babies without all these things."

So not sure what I should do. Is it just a gimmick or is it really a necessity?

For extra info, in June I had blood tests and all my vitamins were excellent Specialist even said she would be happy if I was pregnant that month as everything was great!

 

[Foey]

I don't think its a major concern that women need to take prenatals before getting pregnant. All it is is a precaution. it gives you extra umph in the vitamin department. Have you had kids already? If so than you know that babies take a lot of nutrients from you, hence why doctors and specialists recommend pregnant women have a more healthy and nutritious diet. Yes your husband is right....women have been having babies for years without these things. But they were probably exhausted and if i remember right, a lot of babies died back in the early colonial days due to malnutrition. Back in the 18th century it was not uncommon to lose a child. Not to freak you out!!! That is def not the case if you don't take prenatals lol. I've known some women that have never taken one in their life and had no care of their diets and their babies were perfect. I think its all about preference. A lot of vitamins are good for the baby's development and for the mother. It will also help with your energy I bet once you get pregnant. hope this helps! good luck!!

 

[Bellydreams]

Thanks Foey!

What your saying is exactly how I feel! I know it doesn't hurt taking them so I've decided I'm going to talk to my doctor and see what she says! But for now I'll plan on starting them in a couple of weeks.

I haven't had a baby, but hubby has a 10 yr old that wasn't planned for hence his apprehension about all things planning. His ex and him obviously didn't do all this stuff when they had him, and they didn't find out his ex was pregnant till after a few months.

 

[lily28]

I 'm kind of torn, I agree that vitamins are expensive pee, but on the other hand I'm not taking any chances with birth defects so I take folic acid and I eat healthy (we are ttc btw). If and when I am expecting I will definitely start prenatal vit as soon as possible.

 

[Runner]

It's a fact that people don't consume enough folic acid through their diet, and therefor there isn't a big deposit of it in our bodies. Not to mention it's proven that birth control pills additionally drain those thin deposits.

As a biologist I'm in general not a big fan of analogies that include our moms/grandmothers etc. considering that those comparisons completely ignore statistic data about frequency of birth defects and similar.

Science has developed, there's no reason why we wouldn't take advantage of that.

 

[counting]

I think folic acid is important and NOT a gimmick. You should start taking these 1-3 months before you go off the pill minimum to prevent neural tube defects. Folic acid is dirt cheap, I bought high quality 100 count, 1mg pills for 5 dollars. That is a three month supply, so something like 5 cents a day. The thing is, the time in fetal development that the neural tube is closing, when the folic acid is required is actually before most women even know they are pregnant. If you start earlier than you plan on getting pregnant it means you will have a supply built up for baby when he/she needs it the most. It has also been found that nearly every persons diet is insufficient in folic acid.

I think prenatal multivitamins are optional as long as you eat a healthy balanced diet, though I plan on starting on a multi when I get pregnant. It's just the folic acid that is important IMO before you fall pregnant. I also take iron, but I wouldn't feel like I was putting my future baby at risk by not taking iron right now.

Hope I could help. Neural tube defects are one of the most common and the most preventable birth defects. DH's brother was born with a very severe case of spina bifida, and died shortly after birth, so it's definitely something we take very seriously in our family.

Good luck!

 

[Mummy_2_One]

I think folic acid is important and NOT a gimmick. You should start taking these 1-3 months before you go off the pill minimum to prevent neural tube defects. Folic acid is dirt cheap, I bought high quality 100 count, 1mg pills for 5 dollars. That is a three month supply, so something like 5 cents a day. The thing is, the time in fetal development that the neural tube is closing, when the folic acid is required is actually before most women even know they are pregnant. If you start earlier than you plan on getting pregnant it means you will have a supply built up for baby when he/she needs it the most. It has also been found that nearly every persons diet is insufficient in folic acid.

I think prenatal multivitamins are optional as long as you eat a healthy balanced diet, though I plan on starting on a multi when I get pregnant. It's just the folic acid that is important IMO before you fall pregnant. I also take iron, but I wouldn't feel like I was putting my future baby at risk by not taking iron right now.

Hope I could help. Neural tube defects are one of the most common and the most preventable birth defects. DH's brother was born with a very severe case of spina bifida, and died shortly after birth, so it's definitely something we take very seriously in our family.

Good luck!

Could not agree more!

Please don't gamble with the health of your baby. Make sure you're taking a folic acid (most prenatals have it included) for at least a month before you come off BC.

Best of luck x

 

[FeLynn]

I just suffered my 3rd loss. I am waiting for my period to return, my dr gave me the go ahead to start birth control pill. I plan to get off of the pill in the fall around Oct or Nov. the reason for getting on the pill it to help prevent pregnancy to give my body time to heal. I do not plan and normally do not prevent either. As a precaution I will be starting my prenatal next month along with iron and folic acid, just in case I do fall pregnant. I also will hopefully been seen by another dr or specialist to see what else I should do to help prep my body so I do not suffer another loss. I am not planning I just feel better knowing I am doing what I can to prep my body for possible pregnancy. I know some women who do not take any pills during pregnancy and they are fine but each female and pregnancy are so very different.